S83 questions

B

Big bill 22

New member
It was hard giving up my '86 1100 Virago, but I recently purchased a reposessed 2007 Boulevard S83 from the USA. It came with a custom Suzuki seat with passenger back rest, rear rack, engine guards with highway pegs, aftermarket saddlebags and quick detach windshield. I have debadged it and drilled into the baffle to improve the sound. I have some questions for experienced S83 or 1400 Intruder riders to which I would appreciate an answer.

1. I am considering adding a throttle lock- what would you recommend?
2. The side mirrors give me a nice view of my shoulders. I am considering installing mirror extensions so I can see the road behind me- what would you recommend?
3. It is very difficult to read the turn signal indicator [sepecailly when wearing sunglasses] since the indicator is very dim and the instrument panel is tinted black - what would you recommend?
4. I am used to having a tach. and would like to install one - what would you recommend? Can't understand why one was not stock on the bike.
5. The saddle bags interfere with the use of the helmet holder locks - what would you recommend? They also rub on the rear spring/shocks even though the saddlebag supports are from Suzuki.
6. My wife likes to ride with me but dislikes the stock passenger pegs [she likes the footboard type] and finds that the Suzuki sissybar/backrest is too low for her back [it also does not take my cyle tour pack] - any suggestions?
7. Security is a concern for me. Noone would steal my old bike but the S83 is much newer so I am wondering what security/anti-theft device you would recommend. The dealer could not find a steering lock key for me, so I ordered a new lock with key from Suzuki well over a month ago.
8. If the weather is the least bit cold, even with the choke on full, I have to try to start the bike at least 2 to 3 times before it starts idling properly without stalling . The owner's manual says not to use the throttle at start when using the choke, but the only way to get it going seems to be blipping the trottle a few times and reving the engine a bit. Is this common for the S83?
Thanks in advance.
 
1- the vista cruise is cheap, and easy to install
2- lossen the allen head bolts on the mounts and rotate the mirror mounts to see past your shoulders.
3- you could add an LED light to make it brighter, or those arrow strips that light up to the mirrors. Or just learn to turn the signals off- it's kind of important.
4- few japanese cruisers come with tachs these days- a sacrifice to cost cutting to hold the price down. there are several good aftermarket ones out there- I like Drag Specialties or Autometer.
5- There are a variety of helmet locks you can buy, such as license plate frames with helmet locks on them, or ones that go on the end of the grips
6- Cobra makes a sissy bar extension to make it taller, or you can slightly elongate the mounting plate holes fo a tall sissy bar intended for a Harley. Passenger floorboards are easy to put on and easy to find with a google search, as are passenger peg extenders that drop the pegs down to make the passenger more comfortable.
7- the steering lock is worthless- a good twist of the bars will snap it. A disk lock or cable lock is a good visual deterent, making thieves grab something easier. Anything is a help- a buddy works for a major insurance company, and he tells me over 95% of stolen bikes were not locked in any way.
8- S83s are very cold blooded, but they should fire without the throttle. The choke may be out of adjustment, which is very common.
 
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